Chapter 74: Act like a slave
The room was thick with scented smoke and polished corruption.
Five elders sat around a crescent-shaped table of lacquered blackwood, dressed in flowing robes embroidered with silver moons and crimson thread. Behind them, stained glass windows filtered warm sunlight across plush rugs and trays of untouched fruit.
At the center sat Elder Yoru, the most senior—his white fur immaculate, his long snout twitching with disapproval as Nyra and her "escort" entered the room.
He narrowed his sharp golden eyes.
"Our youngest elder," he said slowly, voice dry as old paper, "why are you bringing the goods here? You know the protocol. The buyers are not due for another week."
Nyra bowed her head just enough to show respect without submission. "I apologize, Elder Yoru," she said smoothly, "but I’ve brought them early for... reconditioning."
Yoru raised a brow. "Reconditioning?"
"The lapinite," she gestured toward Rinni, "was showing signs of fear resistance. And the catkin—" she nodded at Fina, "nearly attacked one of the handlers. I thought it best to show them how deep their leash runs."
"And the human?" snapped Elder Fenlo, another council member, his fur a dull tan. "You thought of selling the human male? Have you lost your mind? If the Rhelgars find out—if the humans know we’re capturing our own—"
Nyra smiled faintly. "He’s not fully human anymore, Elder Fenlo. He was taken during a raid—traumatized beyond repair. We’ve reprogrammed him. Watch."
She turned her head slightly and spoke with cold command, "Allen. Kneel."